A year ago, BMW treated its luxurious 3 Series to a midlife facelift. With it came a somewhat amended look, with new air intakes and new headlights, alongside a fresh engine line-up that saw the range-topping 335i supplanted by this – the 340i.
Our first taste of the new 3 Series came courtesy of this very vehicle back in the mid-year of 2015. From that point forward, there are different forms on UK streets; however the lead 340i is the real king pin. Presently, we have the six-cylinder saloon on English soil to check whether speediest means best.
We’ve not overlooked the elastic biting M3, obviously – however for contention, how about we push that to the other side. While the present 3 Series run begins from only £25,160 (for a 318i SE), this 340i pushes practically £40,000. A 320d in chic M Wear trim is £32,770.
Be that as it may, notwithstanding being 50 for every penny costlier than the same level car, the 340i has twice the same number of cylinders and more than twofold the power. It will cover 0-62mph in only 5.5 seconds, and hit a 155mph top speed.
It unquestionably feels quick. The back-wheel drive undercarriage stays among the sweetest in this class, and as time wears on, you see the changed and excessively helped electric power-directing. Flick it to Sport mode and things weight up, uncovering simply enough input through the wheel as you begin on.
Sport mode offers a throatier fume note, yet in the event that you need a really groundbreaking soundtrack you’ll be disillusioned by anything this side of a M3. The Mercedes-AMG, C 43 and Jaguar XE S have more ear-getting tones, yet what the 340i needs in show, it compensates for with its refined motorway conduct. There’s alongside no wind noise.
Inside, the car feels somewhat shortsighted close by more present day contenders, however the tasteful complete and coherent infotainment framework make it a not too bad and agreeable place in which to invest your energy.
The iDrive set-up is superb, and the expansion of Apple CarPlay (a £235 choice) will satisfy various future buyers.
The 340i won’t be shoddy to run, however, either as a private purchaser or a company auto driver. Mileage of 36.7mpg for the manual auto is keeping pace with adversaries from Jaguar, Audi and Mercedes, yet contrasted and the torquey 330d diesel, it can’t contend.
The phenomenal ZF transmission is demonstrated over the BMW range and suits the 3 Series splendidly. It moves easily around town – where the manual is substantial and relentless – and on the open street the Sport auto is almost as quick as a typically prevalent dual clutch set-up, enhancing efficiency en route.
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